Surplus People Project (SPP), Citrusdal

Information

OUR VISION

We envision a transformed and just society and stand in solidarity with radical social movements in struggles for pro-poor agrarian transformation for food sovereignty.

OUR MISSION

We are committed to challenge neoliberal capitalism, power and patriarchy and to promote and advocate for agrarian reform for food sovereignty with strategic alliances. Our support amplifies the agrarian struggles of social movements and community formations in the Northern and Western Cape.

OUR VALUES AND APPROACH

SPP believes in social justice and equal rights for all. We have made a choice to work with the rural poor and to facilitate the voice, choices, strategies and approaches to struggle as determined by the people themselves. We believe in the particular power and possibility of young people and women and actively facilitate opportunities for their growth in our strategy.

Our processes aim to encourage and establish a will within people to believe in themselves and their vision. The common vision is improved livelihoods, changes in the economic, political and social conditions within communities and the institutions that represent their interests.

Our research and work with communities inform debates and the issues SPP focuses on. Research, in turn, is informed by the struggles and obstacles communities identify. Their experiences and struggles ultimately inform advocacy to influence government and policymakers. This is always done with communities through documented community actions, stories of change and achievements based on their action for change. The networks such as Tshintsha Amakhaya and Northern Cape network are spaces to share methodologies, approaches and practice.

OUR CONTEXT

The context in which we work is volatile, unpredictable, oppressive and at times repressive. This scenario is, however, a hopeful and empowered one as the formations that SPP supports and accompanies express their voice and assert their right to be treated with dignity, respect and care and to have access to basic human rights and conditions conducive to agrarian reform for food sovereignty.

OUR ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

SPP works in a respectful and caring way with communities. Its approach is characterised by participation, listening, openness, caring for each other, transparency and, gender equality This is also reflected in its internal culture where this approach is practised and refined. SPP has demonstrated organisational resilience and a significant factor that assisted this is its progressive internal organisational culture.